Foundation Degree Early Years

Attendance

Part-time

Part-time – typically three years, starting in January
You attend one Tuesday every fortnight from 9.30 till 16.00 (15 days each year)

At a glance

About this course

The Government aims to improve outcomes for children, families and communities by improving the Children and Young People’s Workforce. We developed these courses in response to these aims.

National organisations including the Department for Education are encouraging development of the workforce through to foundation degree level and on to honours degree level.

This foundation degree is ideal if you are a childminder, early years practitioner, manager and advisor working in the early years sector, focusing on services for children aged 0–5 years. This course is also beneficial if you are an outreach/involvement or portage worker.

You need to be employed in an early years setting during the course as emphasis is placed on work-based learning.

The main aims of the degree are to

• reflect the DfE aim to develop a common set of skills and knowledge across the children and young people’s workforce

• support transitions of staff across services and professional groupings

Associated careers

This course is for individuals who work as practitioners, managers or advisory staff in early years services.

You graduate with the knowledge and skills to gain roles with greater responsibility, such as supervisory, management and higher management posts.

Good development opportunities are becoming available in children’s centres and the course may allow you to take on wider responsibilities in more complex, multiprofessional organisations including local authorities and voluntary organisations.

Course content

Year one modules

• play and young children's learning and development • young children's participation and play • play and focusing on academic and professional skills

Year two modules

• partnerships with families in the early years • young children's health and wellbeing • academic and professional development: health and wellbeing

Year three modules

• inclusive practice in the early years • working in teams in the early years • academic and professional development: international perspectives

Assessment

• presentations • essays • reports • portfolios • posters • blogs • Blackboard conferencing • annotated bibliographies • creation of artefacts, for example a picture card communication system for children with autism

Entry requirements

These are the normal entry requirements but we will consider you on an individual basis.

• evidence of achievement at level 3, such as A level or NVQ level 3 in childcare

• a level 2 qualification in English or communication and in mathematics or numeracy

• ideally one year or equivalent experience working within the broad area of the sector

• must be in paid employment or in a meaningful voluntary placement for a minimum of one day per week or equivalent while on the course

• able to fulfil the academic demands, including information communication technology requirements

• individuals will need a disclosure and barring service (formerly known as criminal records bureau) check

If English is not your first language you need an IELTS score of at least 6.0.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £9,960 for the course

How to apply

Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

Contact details

For further information email arundelhub@shu.ac.uk phone +44 (0)114 225 3636, or email Penny Borkett (course leader) p.borkett@shu.ac.uk